Competition deadline: 28th September 2026
Ireland’s Own is pleased to announce details of our 2026 Writing Competition. Entrants are invited to compete for €2,450 in gift-card prizes.
OPEN SHORT STORY SECTION
The Open Short Story section is open to all. Entries should be approximately 2,000 words, with a maximum of 2,000 words.
This section carries a prize fund of €1,000 in gift cards:
- First prize: €600
- Second prize: €200
- Two runners-up prizes: €100 each
BEGINNERS’ SHORT STORY SECTION
The Beginners’ Short Story section is restricted to those who have never had a short story published before. Entries should be approximately 2,000 words, with a maximum of 2,000 words.
This section carries:
- First prize: €300
- Three runners-up prizes: €100 each
Entries for both short story sections should reflect the ethos of Ireland’s Own and be of a non-experimental nature. Occasionally, stories may need some slight adjustments to comply with our requirements; we reserve the right to make such changes. Entry in the competitions is deemed an acceptance of this condition.
MEMORIES SECTION
For the Memories Section we are asking entrants to tell us of some special moment or event in not more than 800 words. It could be about school, holidays, falling in love, getting married, emigrating, a special person you have known, or another memorable experience.
This section carries:
- First prize: €200
- Four runners-up prizes: €100 each
THE FRANK McDONALD PRIZE
In memory of Frank McDonald: 12 April 1932 to 4 May 2020.
Frank McDonald was born in Dublin in 1932. He was an avid reader and a short story writer throughout his life, and was a regular contributor to Ireland’s Own magazine. His work also featured in the 2010 short story anthology.
Following his retirement from his job as a bookbinder in 1998, Frank spent more than 10 years teaching adult literacy classes in Finglas, Dublin. During these years he introduced many people to the joy of reading and writing. He was married to his wife, Lily, for over 60 years and had four children and five grandchildren.
His family has very generously donated a €250 prize which will be awarded to a piece of writing entered in the competition that stands out and leaves a lasting impression on our judges.
HOW TO ENTER IRELAND’S OWN WRITING COMPETITIONS
Please note that we will only be accepting entries through our website: www.irelandsown.ie.
All the instructions you need to submit your entry and pay the entry fee by card are provided on this page and through our online entry portal.
IRELAND’S OWN ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Entries must be submitted through the online portal provided on this website.
- In all three sections, entries should be the original and unpublished work of the sender.
- Entries should be typed with double spacing.
- Open Short Story and Beginners’ Short Story entries should be approximately 2,000 words, with a maximum of 2,000 words.
- Memories Section entries should be no more than 800 words.
- Any number of entries may be submitted individually, but each story must be accompanied by a €10.00 (£8 Stg) fee, paid by card via our website.
- Entrants must include their own name and address on each entry, as well as their phone number and email address to facilitate easy contact.
- Which section each entry is intended for should be clearly marked on the entry where the entrant includes their name and address.
- No entry form is needed.
- Entrants should retain copies of their work, as manuscripts will not be returned.
- The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
See here for further information.
And see here for more competitions on Writing.ie.
